by R. M Garino
“Of course,” Arielle said. She raised her head again and waited on his words.
“It is my job as your father, after all, to impart several examples of sage advice you would do well to follow.”
“I will.”
Dugal chuckled.
“Well, that would be a relief,” he said. “It would be a welcome change to have just one conversation on the matter. I was forced to make this trip every other week for your brother’s benefit.”
Arielle did not understand the comment. “Shane has always been a perfect Blade!” she said.
“Shane has always been rambunctious,” Dugal said. “He was, and is, a very good soldier, but he has . . . had his moments. But, I digress.” He moved as if waving away the previous conversation. “We’re here to discuss you.”
He pursed his lips.
“First and foremost, you ignored the instructions of a superior officer, of a Mala’kar. Arielle, you know we’re not to be trifled with. We Mala’kar are the ones your future rests with. You should be seeking to impress and distinguish yourself. Your mother and I do not have any say in the matter, so the masters here will ultimately decide if you are worthy to test. A mediocre display from you is not acceptable.”
“I know that,” Arielle said. “I’ve always known that.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Dugal said, ignoring the interruption. “You are the great-great-granddaughter of Sui Rhen’val, the founder of the Areth’kon. You are nobility among us. Such an august familial lineage will earn you no special treatment here, but you are nevertheless expected to uphold the traditions of our House. You did this admirably at the Vaults. The other graduates look to you, to us, for leadership. That’s just the way it is.
“Secondly, you ignored the Master of the Gates. This is unacceptable. You’ve known your entire life that the hallmark of discipline is the alacrity with which you obey an order. To blatantly disregard the words of a commanding officer, no matter how trivial they seem at the time, is close behind outright treason.”
“I didn’t mean to ignore him,” Arielle said in her defense. “To be honest, I didn’t even hear him until he was right in front of me. As I said before, I don’t understand what happened.”
Dugal was silent, watching her. His sin’del was agitated, and his jaw clenched and unclenched.
“Don’t concern yourself with that,” he said. “It is not important in and of itself.”
“How is it not important?” Arielle said. “The entire company heard him, but I did not. How could that happen?”
Dugal placed his hand on top of hers. “Do not distress yourself with it,” he said, sitting up straight. “I’ll take care of everything on that matter. And I promise I will explain at a later time. What you need to concern yourself with now is your performance from here on out. You’ve already set yourself poorly. Thankfully, I have the privilege of a congenial relationship with Trenton. I’ve taken the liberty of broaching the matter with him, and I have asked, as a favor to me, that he allow you a second chance to introduce yourself. Expect to hear from him soon. I trust I don’t need to explain the importance of such a meeting. It is vital that you comport yourself well.”
“No, you don’t” Arielle said. “I understand how important it is. I just wish you hadn’t done so. I’m capable of fixing matters myself.”
“Nonsense,” Dugal said. “Being my daughter and a Rhen’val grants you no special privileges here, but I feel it is my right to ask a favor or two on your behalf. You may not have any special privileges here, but I do. No harm will come from a second meeting, and perhaps a great amount of good.”
Arielle could not keep inside the sigh that escaped her. “I don’t need any help, Father,” she said. “You have always taught me to stand on my own, and I mean to do so here.”
“It’s already done,” Dugal said with a wave, “and I won’t revoke my privilege.”
“Please. I wish you would.”
“Why?”
“It’s hard enough here with who I am. There’s always the perception of favoritism with everything I do. I just want to be treated like everyone else. Please.”
Her father watched her a moment, judging how important this was to her. At length, he sighed.
“Very well,” he said. “We’ll try it your way. But, now to the most important point of all. Do not, under any circumstances, associate in the slightest with Angus Kal’Parev, or his House.”
“You always told me that I had to learn the ways of the Houses,” Arielle said, unable to withhold her confusion, “all the Houses in the Areth’kon, because one day I will be called on to lead them. Why are you telling me now to ignore one entire House?”
“Let’s just say that I will not have my daughter diminish the name of the Areth’kon’s noblest family by casting her lot with the . . . mediocrity that runs rampant among them.” She could tell that he was lying. She had never heard him disparage House Kal’Parev.
“But I still don’t understand.”
“Than it is because I wish it!” Dugal said. His sin’del retracted, showing his immediate regret. He took her hands in his. “Believe me, Arielle. I’m not trying to be cruel or arbitrary. Stay with your own kind. You’re only away from home for a short span of time. Don’t do anything rash that you’ll regret later. Logan waits on you, and a great number of Blades currently stationed here pledged Fel’Mekrin. Any association with Angus Kal’Parev—”
“I am not associating with him!” Arielle said as she leapt to her feet, pulling away. “I have never even spoken to him. I have seen him once. Once!”
“Your manners, child.” Her father inclined his head, watching her from beneath his eyebrows, as he always did when his patience was beginning to thin. She was reminded of a bull about to charge.
“I meant no disrespect,” she said, averting her eyes. She did not want to get into a screaming match with him, especially not over this. But why did he have to mention Logan, of all people, to try and get her to see reason?
“Good,” Dugal said, “then resume your seat so we may continue.”
Arielle continued to stare at the floor. She did not want the conversation to continue. All the dread she’d suffered awaiting his reaction was coming to the fore again, and her stomach constricted in a painful knot of agitation.
“I understand, Father. I have behaved foolishly, and would be wise to heed your advice.” She forced out a smile. “I may not understand why you are asking this of me,” she said, “but I do understand that you would not broach it if it were not important. I will do as you ask.”
Her father watched her, as if trying to decide if he believed her or not. What had Shane always told her? It was better to concede the point in Father’s presence than argue with him. Shane never was able to take his own advice, but Arielle found no difficulty in the feat. She had been doing it for so long that her parents accepted her docile nature. Right now she just wanted the conversation to end.
At length, her father held out his arms to her. “There’s my girl. Now, I trust we will not have to repeat this conversation next week?”
“No, Father,” Arielle said. She stepped into his arms. “Must you go so soon?”
“I am afraid I must. I’m expected in Reven Marthal this evening. I wanted a quick visit to make sure you understood our position.”
“Reven Marthal?” Arielle said. “I hope you’ll be using a caster to travel.”
“Of course,” Dugal said with a hint of a chuckle, as if he would make such a trip any other way. “I will use the permanent set just off the officer’s mess.”
“Well, if you must go, I wish you good speed,” Arielle said, stepping back. “Thank you for coming. It really has done me a world of good.”
“As I had hoped it would, my dear.”
He patted his pockets to make sure he had all of his belongings. “I will be in touch, Shortberry,” he said as he lifted the door latch. “Apply yourself, be mindful of your actions, and be mindful of your associations
. You will acquit yourself splendidly.”
He gave her a parting smile and stepped into the hall.
Arielle closed her door and leaned against it. She was glad Father had decided to not press the point, and had instead believed her entreaties. She acknowledged the box she’d left on the bed, hesitant to go near it. She knew father’s visit would be much more pleasant in hindsight after she opened it. She picked up the box and turned it over once more. There was a shifting sensation, but no sound. Leave it to Logan to send a crystal. A letter would have sufficed to make his thoughts known, but he, of course, would send a simulacrum, and trust to his countenance where his words might fail.
She could just leave the box alone and unopened. She did not have to suffer his odious comments. But, knowing Logan, this was just some prelude leading up to his big act. If she wanted to thwart him, she would have to know his intentions.
Sighing, she retrieved a small soapstone setting from the shelf above her bed and placed it upon her writing desk. Opening the box, she withdrew a smooth, milky white crystal, which she placed in the setting. An ethereal image of Logan, his flowing black hair framing his perfect face shimmered to life.
“I arrive at the Gates with the harvest moon, in just over a year,” he said, seeming to speak to an area above her head. “So, I will be present when you pledge yourself to me and my House as we agreed. I have read your note, and we have much to discuss and set to right.”
The image of Logan wore a mocking grin.
“I have to say, my darling, that you get the strangest notions in your head sometimes. The things you accused me of in your letter could not be further from the truth. You are overreacting again, I am afraid.”
The ethereal Logan made a placating gesture.
“Be that as it may,” he said. “I will be there soon enough, and we have our future to arrange. I was thinking—”
The message ended when she smacked away the crystal. She would listen to no more!
Logan would be here in just under a year. Arielle extended her sin’del to pick up the message from where it had rolled under her desk. It floated into her waiting hand. She bounced it in her palm a trio of times as she considered his words. That meant he was ready to stand for his final test. Custom dictated that the ceremonies that raised the new Elc’atar included graduates pledging their fealty to one of the great Houses.
The stone lifted into the air, the light catching its glittering facets. Its edges sparkled and threw prisms against the walls as it spun. A darker glow rose inside it, projected by Arielle’s life force.
Both her parents had sworn to House Fel’Mekrin, as had her grandparents before them. Her father was the second cousin of Endeara, the Head of the House and the mother of Logan and Gwen. Arielle’s teeth tightened against themselves. The light within the crystal intensified as she directed more and more of her rage into it. Her older brother, Shane, was pledged too. Flakes of dust fell from the stone as the heat within constricted it. There could be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Arielle would follow and adhere to tradition.
She sank onto her bed, suffocated by expectations. A small coating of dust decorated the hand that fell to her lap.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Pyramid Passes
Brodhi was waiting for the Third as they walked off the field. He was the resident for Kal’Parev, the senior member of their House on site at the Gates, and therefore the ultimate arbiter of their fates. The squad was sweating and irritated from the mud and needles that coated them, and they were eager for a hot meal. He lounged against the door to the mess as only an Elc’atar could lounge: indifferent, and aware of everything that passed by him. He pushed himself off the door as the Third approached.
“Morning, Brodhi,” Thomlin said.
Silence met his greeting as he appraised them.
“Gibson already inspected us this—” Hironata said, plucking at his shirt, betraying how conscious he was of his appearance.
Brodhi held up a single finger, and Hironata fell silent. He walked among them, noting every detail of their disgusting uniforms. Stopping by Angus, he lifted a pine needle from his hair. Although Angus, as well as Thomlin and Hironata, stood taller than him, Angus averted his eyes in his presence.
“Four times,” Brodhi said. He flicked the needle away in disgust and resumed his stroll through their midst. “You have let this happen four times.” He stopped in front of Thomlin. His voice, they noted, was well controlled and calm, a sure sign they were in for trouble. A yelling Brodhi was one they knew how to deal with. “You are ranked on the bottom tier; eleventh place. And you have now been porcupined four times. Congratulations. You are now the absolute worst squad the Areth’kon has ever produced. I am sure your parents will be very proud of the distinction.”
“We’ve been porcupined three times since Bowler got a bug up his ass,” Angus said. “And all of them have been Fel’Mekrin or Mer’Chien inspections.”
Brodhi moved his attention to Angus. “Did I ask your opinion, scrub?”
“We’re not the ones you should be calling out,” Angus said, ignoring the question.
Brodhi’s jaw clenched and he stepped closer to Angus. “I believe it was a brick,” Brodhi said. “And I believe it was upside his head, not his ass. We have you to thank for that. This is on you.”
Turning to Thomlin, he pointed his finger. “You are their leader. Their success and, especially their failure lay squarely on your shoulders. If you have not figured that out by now, we’re all in a great deal of trouble.”
“I’m well aware of what it means,” Thomlin said. The comment had found its mark, and he hung his head.
“Then do something about it,” Brodhi said. To Angus, he added, “You can help. This is as much your doing as his. Fix this!”
“Sir, yes sir,” Thomlin said, raising his head and standing at attention. Angus emulated him, as did the rest.
“You will be approaching the A’gist soon,” he said, some of the heat of his words bleeding off. “Usually only two or three from a squad are accepted. We take bets on it. Do you want to know where you lot stand?” He appraised them, not really waiting for their answer. “Exactly. Last place. A hundred to one that all of you, ALL OF YOU wash out in the A’gist.”
“What happens to us if we wash out?” Ti’vol said, her voice small.
Brodhi regarded her, and his features softened. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Nothing terrible,” he said. “You leave the Gates and go about your life. The Areth’kon is not a good fit for everyone. If you are not accepted, it is a redirecting, not an ending.”
He looked each member of the squad in the eye. “That goes for all of you, as well. We in House Kal’Parev hope that you will be able to move forward, but we understand if you cannot. Well, we’d understand if most of you washed out. Others, not so much.”
“Understood, sir!” the squad called in unison.
“Good,” Brodhi said. “You’re running pyramids today. Four passes. You have till sundown.”
They shared crestfallen moans, and Ossian raised his hands as if to protest. No one relished running pyramids, even when it was just one or two passes. Four passes were considered a cruel punishment. And before the sundown deadline they also had to squeeze in their regular full contingent of chores and lessons. There was no way they would make the deadline.
“What are you waiting for?” Brodhi said. “Get started.”
“Breakfast?” Demona said, a note of hope in her voice.
“You’ll eat when you’re done,” Brodhi said. “Now move! Move! Move!”
The Third didn’t even bother to salute. They pivoted as one unit, and ran toward the looming gates that dominated the valley with a pitiful shout of “Oohraah!”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ten Steps
The door to the cell opened, pulling Arielle from her brooding. Wiping the dust from her hand, she stood, her face composed. Gwen walked in, her usual smirk lighting her face, a glimmer of mischi
ef sparkling in her dark eyes. Her gaze wandered over Arielle, the box and the crystal reader, before settling on Arielle’s sin’del. Her face betrayed none of her conclusions. Gwen dropped onto the bed and drew her legs beneath her.
“So,” Gwen said, “what does my darling brother have to say?”
Arielle started. “What makes you ask that?” Arielle frowned at her friend.
Gwen indicated the writing desk. “You have a crystal projector out. And as I encountered your father on my way here, I assume it was not he who sent it to you. Judging by the dust on the floor, and on your hands, you destroyed it. I doubt you would destroy a message from your parents even if the Field Marshal did just stop by to drop one off, but Logan . . . he can easily get you that mad. So, what does he have to say? I haven’t heard from him in months.”
Arielle shook her head in slow, short motions as she gathered her thoughts. “He’ll arrive at the Gates by the harvest moon,” she said. She sat at the foot of the narrow bed, and Gwen shifted her position to face her. “It’s about a year away.”
“Nothing about the letter?”
“He said I overreacted, and that ‘we have much to discuss.’ About our future and so forth.” Arielle became very interested in picking at a stray cuticle. “At least I know he read it.”
“And summarily ignored it,” Gwen said with a shake of her head. “Typical Logan. He sees what he wants to see, and hears what he wants to hear. He probably thinks you’re negotiating for a change in wedding plans, more flowers on the tables or where you’ll live afterward, the Vaults or Reven Marthal. We’ll just have to get him to see reason when he gets here.”
“And by getting him ‘to see reason,’ you mean . . .”
“Tying him down and beating him until he sees things your way.”
Arielle could not suppress the giggle that escaped her, and she felt some of the tension in her shoulders drain away. “He doesn’t know what ‘reason’ means, and you know it. As you said, he believes what he wants to believe.”